Walters Ms. W.13, Synonyms of Isidore of Seville

Therefore, whoever you are, read this willingly, and while you are touched by the adversities of this world, examine yourself with a censorious judgment, and then you will immediately recognize that whatever adversities you suffer in this age are brought upon you by the most just retribution. In this book, on the other hand, two characters are introduced: Man and Reason, with Man lamenting and Reason consoling. Isidore, an archbishop from Spain, takes on the role of the lamenting man. The book of Isidore the bishop begins: MY SOUL IS IN DISTRESS, my spirit burns, my heart swells, for distress has taken hold of me, the anguish of the mind afflicts me.

For I am surrounded by evils, encompassed by hardships, enclosed by adversities, overwhelmed by miseries, covered with unhappiness, oppressed by troubles. Nowhere do I find a refuge from such great misfortune, nowhere do I find a solution for so much sorrow, I cannot grasp signs of escaping calamity, I do not gather the means to diminish my pain, I cannot find a trace to escape death, my misfortune pursues me everywhere, my calamity does not desert me at home or abroad, wherever I flee, my troubles pursue me, wherever I turn, the shadow of my troubles follows me. Just as I cannot flee from the shadow of my body, I cannot escape my miseries. I am that man of an unknown name, a man of obscure reputation, a man of the lowest class, known only through myself, known only to myself, I have never harmed anyone, I have never slandered anyone, I have never acted against anyone.

I have brought no trouble to anyone, I have been unquiet to no one, and without any complaint, I have lived among all. Everyone tries to harm my life, all snarl and go mad against me, they engage in a fight, with dangers having been put against me, they drag me to destruction, lead me to danger, call for my salvation to be put at risk. No one offers me protection, no one provides defense, no one offers an aid, no one runs to help with my troubles, I am deserted by everyone. Whoever look at me either flee or perhaps pursue me, they regard me as if unfortunate, I do not know what they say to me, malice behind peaceful words, they adorn hidden malice in planned speeches, they speak one thing with their mouths, but harbor another in their hearts, they destroy with their action what they promise with speech.

Under the guise of piety, they walk with a poisoned mind, they disguise malice with the appearance of goodness, they conceal cunning with simplicity, they pretend friendship with deceit, they show on their faces what they do not carry in their hearts. Whom should you trust? Whom should you have faith in? Whom do you consider a trustworthy neighbor? No one knows how to have faith anymore, when does trust perish now? Where is trust now? Trust has perished, faith has been taken away, nowhere is trust safe if there is no legitimacy, if truth of judgment is non-existent, if fairness is discarded, if the law is not believed, if justice is denied to all. Laws perish with avarice ruling, justice holds no sway in the love of greed, rewards and gifts have carried off the strength from laws, money triumphs everywhere, judgment is for sale everywhere, there is no fear from laws, no dread of judgment, remains unpunished the

license for evil living, no one contradicts those who sin, nor anyone avenges the crime. Every offense remains unpunished. The unjust are safe, the innocent perish, the good are in need, the wicked abound, the criminals are powerful, the righteous are in need, the unjust are honored, the righteous are deposed, the unjust rejoice, the righteous are in sorrow and mourning. Without any hindrance, without any cause, without any accusation, without any malice, they throw accusations at me, they implicate me in the crime, they weave knots of accusation against me, they turn suspicions and allegations against me, they lead me into danger due to the crime. They accuse me of a crime of which I have no conscience. Nothing has been examined, nothing has been uncovered, nothing has been investigated, nothing has been found. Nevertheless, they do not cease to fabricate evils against me,